This started recently. I connect my device (power and usb) and when I do, the Media Explorer starts up, but it says "Your player is not connected" how does it know to start the Media Explorer, yet it can't find the MP3 player? This is extremely frustrating, because I can't do anything now. Has this happened to anyone else?

happens from time to time, if usually happens to me when i have other media players running and the media explorer and the media player conflict over it, just close all the programs down, disconnect and tuen your player off. After you'v donw that, reconnect it and leave it to connect automatically, and wait for the "what do you want to do with this device" window to pop up.